Photos credit: Tamás Zsolt Vári.
In mid-April 2025, the European Geothermal PhD Days (EGPD) were hosted by the University of Szeged, highlighting one of the most versatile green energy sources of our time: geothermal energy. The head of the organising committee was Dr János Szanyi, who also serves as Coordinator of the EFG Panel of Experts on Geothermal.
EGPD 2025 offered insights into the latest developments in geothermal research across Europe and served as a unique platform for PhD students, early-career researchers, and professionals to network and exchange knowledge. The event welcomed 90 participants from 20 countries.
As per tradition, the event featured keynote speeches from leading experts in the field, including Ladislaus Rybach, Professor Emeritus at ETH Zurich and former President of the International Geothermal Association (IGA); Miklós Antics, President of the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC); Inga Moeck, Professor at the University of Göttingen and Director of the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG) in Hannover; and Tamás Medgyes, Chief Operating Officer of the Szeged District Heating Company.
The EGPD 2025 Best Lecturer Award went to Luka Tas of Ghent University, Belgium. One of the awards was sponsored by the European Federation of Geologists (EFG), which offered free attendance to an EFG Academy course. The Second Place Award went to Michael Erb from the Georg August University of Göttingen, Germany; Third Place to Fiona Chapman of Eau Terre Environment, Quebec, Canada–Slovenia; the Audience Award to Catarina C. Castro of the University of Pécs, Hungary; and the Hungarian Sponsors’ Award to Hawkar Ali Abdulhaq of the University of Szeged, Hungary.
The event also capitalised on its location to offer hands-on learning experiences. Participants visited the Szeged District Heating Company, where the final well of the city’s nine-system geothermal network is currently being drilled. They also travelled to Szentes to observe exemplary agricultural applications of geothermal energy. For a relaxing interlude, attendees enjoyed the thermal waters of the Anna Spa in Szeged.
The key takeaway from the conference was that geothermal potential (and the level of related expertise) varies significantly across Europe. As such, collaboration among research centres is far more effective than isolated efforts. This insight mirrors a broader message for the European Union: only through unity and coordinated research and innovation can the geothermal sector play a pivotal role in the energy transition. This strategy must therefore be pursued at the European level, with a focus on cutting-edge research and the swift adoption of innovative solutions.
The event was supported by Hungary’s National Research, Development and Innovation Office’s Mecenatúra Grant, geothermal organisations, and the European Federation of Geologists.
